Who is known for the quote "Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains," which critiques social inequalities?

The quote "Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains" is attributed to Jean-Jacques Rousseau in his work "The Social Contract," published in 1762. This statement encapsulates Rousseau's belief that, while humans are naturally free, societal structures and institutions impose limitations and inequalities upon them. He critiques the social order that he believes creates a disparity between the natural state of human freedom and the constraints imposed by civil society, including laws and social norms that can promote inequality.

Rousseau's ideas on freedom and social contracts significantly influenced political philosophy and later democratic thought, arguing that legitimate political authority must be derived from the general will of the people. His work challenged existing social hierarchies and advocated for a more egalitarian society.